Ex Liverpool and Sunderland star pleads guilty of sexual activity and had his contract terminated

The attacker pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a minor, prompting the Black Cats to release him from his contract

Sunderland have terminated Adam Johnson's contract after the winger pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming.

The 28-year-old is on trial for allegations of child sex charges relating to incidents between December 2014 and February last year. And Johnson, although he has admitted to one charge, has denied two charges of sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
It was later confirmed that the attacker would miss the Black Cats' Premier League match against Manchester United on Saturday, but the club have since taken further action by releasing him from his contract.

A statement from the club read: "In light of Adam Johnson's guilty pleas, the club has today terminated his contract with immediate effect."